Finding Our Place: Balancing Technology and Nature

Lewis & Clark Graduate Campus

When is an apple just an apple? Young people today recognize corporate logos but not local plants. This class raises questions about the effects of our indoor lifestyle and this generation’s switch from being surrounded by nature to immersion in technology.

Class activities will explore the effects of technology to sustainability as well as provide examples of nature awareness techniques. Students will be asked to implement a lifestyle change of their own choice in relation to reducing “screen time” and increasing ecological literacy and to report on the experience. Participant teachers will be given curriculum on technology addiction and nature awareness for use in their classroom.

Workshop Details

Credit Option: This workshop is part of the “Sustainability Series”. Each workshop in the Sustainability Series can be taken individually or in sequence, with the option to purchase 1 semester hour of continuing education credit after completing all 5 in the series. Registration for credit will occur at the last workshop in this series.

Instructor: Amy Minato, M.A.

About the Instructor

Amy Minato’s undergraduate degree in English Education, naturalist educator experience with Nearby Nature and current position working with youth as a writer through Literary Arts and Wordstock, prepare her for assisting students develop and facilitate effective curricula for youth. Amy has a graduate degree in Environmental Studies and is the author of Siesta Lane, a book on the practice of sustainable living. Amy teaches “Promoting Sustainable Living” at Portland State University. Students in the course work in local schools to develop and pilot sustainability curriculum for youth. She is also an adjunct instructor at Blue Mountain Community College, the University of Oregon, Eastern Oregon University and Washington State University. In addition, she teaches creative writing workshops through Fishtrap, Breitenbush, Sitka Center, Opal Creek as well as independently run workshops.

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